CHAPTER XX. 



We see an absolute necessity of strictly adhering to our first 

 principles, by firmly maintaining our original doctrines, and that 

 plan and discipline which we have so long proved to be the very 

 sinews of our body. Herein, we doubt not, you are like-minded 

 with us. We consider you a branch of the same root from which 

 we sprung, and of which we can never think but with inexpressible 

 gratitude. 



(Address of British Conference to American Methodists, August 1, 1796.) 



THE fundamental doctrine of Methodism is that 

 the Bible is the whole and sole rule both of 

 Christian faith and practice. Hence is learned, (1) that 

 religion is an inward principle; that it is no other 

 than the mind that was in Christ — or in other words, 

 the renewal of the soul after the image of God in 

 righteousness and true holiness; (2) that this can 

 never be wrought in us but by the power of the Holy 

 Ghost; (3) that we receive this and every other bless- 

 ing merely for the sake of Christ; and (4) that whoso- 

 ever hath the mind that was in Christ, the same is 

 our brother and sister and mother. 



The mode of worship from the beginning was simple 

 and earnest. The church-buildings were not gay or 

 splendid so as to be a hinderance on the one hand; 

 nor sordid or dirty, so as to give distaste on the other, 

 but plain as well as clean. They had no pews, and all 

 the benches for rich and poor were of the same con- 

 struction. From the beginning the men and women 



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